Queen Elizabeth's key principles and whether King Charles has kept them

At the time of her death on September 8 2022 Queen Elizabeth II was the UK’s longest reigning monarch, having been on the throne for 70 years.

Throughout her reign Her Late Majesty was responsible for leading both the Royal Family and the country with her strong principles, which she held onto her whole life.

She was known for adopting the royal mantra of ‘never complain, never explain’ and famously always kept her personal and political views under wraps, as well as leading without letting her emotions get in the way, but forever maintaining her sense of duty and humour.

Upon her death her son and heir King Charles ascended the throne, with him and his wife Camilla being crowned eight months later on May 6 at Westminster Abbey.

Now as he approaches one year as King, Express.co.uk takes a look back at how well the King has kept up with his mother’s principles, and how he has adapted to lead the monarchy into a more modern era.

‘Never complain, never explain’

The Royal Family are famous for never airing their grievances in public, and not commenting publicly on personal scandals or sharing their political views.

One notable exception to this rule is Prince Harry, who after stepping down as a working royal alongside wife Meghan Markle has continued to make damaging claims against his family through TV interviews, their documentary series and his memoir Spare.

During Queen Elizabeth’s reign she faced potentially harmful controversies such as the divorces of three of her children, Princess Diana’s Panorama interview and ‘Megxit’ taking place just a few years before she died, but she never criticised or complained throughout it all.

King Charles continues to face the headache of how to deal with Harry and Meghan, and while the Firm have refused to be drawn into a mud-slinging match the King is said to be privately open to reconcile with his younger son.

Politically speaking the Queen never expressed her views, but Charles is a little more open with his stance on climate change and the importance of protecting the environment.

Keeping emotions under wraps

Queen Elizabeth would never allow her emotions to cloud her judgement or overwhelm her when out on public visits, even during the most tragic of circumstances or during the funerals of close family members.

In October 1966 she travelled to the Welsh mining community of Aberfan, after an avalanche of mining waste collapsed onto a school, eventually killing 116 children and 28 adults.

Former royal press officer William Heseltine revealed it was one of the only times the late Queen ever shed tears in public, but she never let her feelings overcome her.

King Charles similarly prefers to keep his dignity and composure in public, however even then he became visibly emotional after recording his first speech as sovereign, just 24 hours after the death of his mother.

In his speech he paid tribute to his “darling mama”, saying: “Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding, and example.

“Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”

Constant devotion to public duty

As he expressed in his first public address as monarch, Charles vowed to continue with his mother’s legacy of selfless devotion to public service.

After spending 70 years on the throne Queen Elizabeth set an almost unparalleled example of giving one’s life to duty, yet as Prince of Wales Charles had already begun to follow down this path.

Charles spent 64 years as Prince of Wales, the longest-serving in history, and it was during this time that he set up The Prince’s Trust in 1976, with the aim of helping vulnerable young people find employment and get their lives on track.

As Prince of Wales he began drawing attention to causes such as environmentalism and how to protect the planet, a legacy his son Prince William has carried on through his Earthshot Prize.

The King also set up The Prince’s Foundation in 1986 to help young people build a sustainable future for themselves.

Maintaining a sense of humour

Given the pressure of being a senior member of the Royal Family, it is important for them to know when to show their sense of humour and have a laugh.

Queen Elizabeth was known for her witty comebacks and dry humour, joking with President Ronald Reagan in 1983 about the weather in California and hilariously putting down President George W. Bush in 2007 when he accidentally added 200 years to her age.

She also showed her adventurous side at the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony, when she agreed to take part in a skit with 007 actor James Bond – although she stopped short of jumping out of a helicopter, with a stunt person doing that in her place.

In his first year as King, Charles has apparently taken inspiration from his mother, as a former royal butler revealed last Christmas that His Majesty often leaves funny presents for his staff during the festive season.

While on a royal visit to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games last year Charles also joked with a bystander who asked him if he fancied a trip to the pub.

The person yelled: “Charles, can we go for a beer?” , with the then-Prince of Wales responding: “Where? Recommend somewhere.”